Herbicide Screening Trial for the Control of Western Cape Bridal Creeper

AIMS:
To investigate the efficacy of various herbicide products for the control of Western Cape bridal creeper (Asparagus asparagoides).

CONCLUSIONS:
• High rates of Weedmaster® Duo (glyphosate), or Brushoff® (metsulfuron – methyl) provided both knock down and effective residual control of bridal creeper tubers.
• Glean (chlorsulfuron), Oust® (sulfometuron – methyl), Grazon (triclopyr + picloram) and Garlon (triclopyr) did not provide control of Western Cape bridal creeper tubers.
• Clomac (clopyralid) applied at 800 g/ha with Pulse @ 0.5% failed to prevent new shoot germination from 25% of the plants treated.
• Callisto® (mesotrione) applied @ 0.417 L/ha + Pulse @ 0.5% disrupting chlorophyll production in new shoot growth and contributed to tuber degeneration but failed to supply effective residual control of bridal creeper tubers.

RECOMENDATIONS:
• Brushoff® @ 60 g/ha + Pulse at the maximum label rate is recommended for the control of Western Cape bridal creeper.
• Weedmaster® Duo @ 9 L/ha + Pulse at the maximum label rate is recommended for the control of Western Cape bridal creeper.
• Further research of the use of mesotrione in combination with glyphosate, metsulfuron – methyl, clopyralid and sulfometuron – methyl for the control of Western Cape bridal creeper is recommended. Mesotrione may offer advantages over the use of large rates of metsulfuron - methyl and glyphosate in environmentally sensitive areas.